Russian engine-maker wants to raise production rate

NPO Saturn, which builds engines for the Sukhoi Superjet aircraft, is hoping to ramp up production of the SaM-146 engines to 50 engines a year over the next one to two years.

NPO Saturn, which builds engines for the Sukhoi Superjet aircraft, is hoping to ramp up production of the SaM-146 engines to 50 engines a year over the next one to two years. By 2010, it hopes to increase this further to 100-150 units per year.

NPO makes the engines in co-operation with France's SAFRAN Group. Sukhoi is working in co-operation with a number of manufacturers including Boeing, Snecma and Messier Dowty on the Superjet project.

Sukhoi plans to manufacture at least 700 Superjet 100s and intends to sell the majority to North America and Europe. The Superjet airliner made its second test flight in May. It will undergo further tests at the aircraft manufacturing plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Four aircraft will be used in the certification program with another three assembled at the plant.